B&M Care Homes continue to expand their sustainability programme across the group, and St. Luke's is the latest site to progress with a high-impact solar PV installation. Following an initial feasibility discussion, Spirit Energy designed a 132.9 kWp rooftop system to help the home reduce electricity bills and cut carbon emissions while making full use of the available pitched roof areas.
A system built around real daytime demand
Care homes are strong candidates for solar PV because they operate long hours with steady electrical loads. St. Luke's is no exception. Our modelling showed that the site could use around 65% of its solar generation directly, with the remaining energy exported to the grid. This high on-site utilisation is key to the strong financial performance of the project.
The design uses:
- 292 Trina 455 W monocrystalline modules
- 1 x Solis-100K-5G
- 1 x Solis-30K-S5
Two Solis inverters, rated at 100 kW and 30 kW, manage the generation safely and efficiently, with monitoring included for both on-site staff and group-level oversight.
Reducing costs and future-proofing the home
Electricity is one of the largest controllable costs for care homes. Based on St. Luke's’ consumption profile, the system is forecast to save approximately £21,805 in the first year alone. These savings grow annually due to inflation on grid electricity.
The project offers:
- 6 year payback
- 20% internal rate of return
- £402,298 net present value over 20 years
For organisations that prefer not to purchase the system outright, a seven-year financed option is also available. Under this arrangement the home benefits immediately from reduced electricity bills while spreading the investment over a fixed term.
Supporting B&M Care’ environmental commitments
Solar PV is one of the simplest and most effective ways for care homes to cut carbon emissions without altering day-to-day operations. The system at St. Luke's is expected to save 25,920 kilograms of CO2 per year, contributing to group-level environmental goals and providing a long-term reduction in the home’s carbon footprint.
Tailored design, delivered by specialists
Every care home presents unique constraints, from roof structure and access to electrical capacity and load patterns. Before progressing to installation, Spirit Energy completed a full feasibility study for St. Luke's, including structural analysis, cable routing, risk assessments and the required G99 application to the Distribution Network Operator.
The system includes:
- Pitched roof mounting fixed into rafters
- Full electrical protection and MID-approved metering
- Online monitoring for remote performance tracking
- Two year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer guarantees on all components
This approach ensures that the system is safe, compliant and optimised for long-term performance in a demanding 24 hour operational environment.
A strong addition to the group’s energy strategy
With more than 132 kWh of clean electricity expected each year, St. Luke's Care Home has taken a significant step towards energy independence. The installation will reduce running costs, strengthen environmental performance and provide predictable long-term returns.
For multi-site groups like B&M Care Homes, projects like this create a blueprint that can be replicated across the estate. St. Luke's now joins a growing list of care homes and commercial clients where Spirit Energy has delivered high-return, low-disruption solar installations backed by industry-leading engineering and support.
Get in touch if you would like us to quote your business.
